Introducing the new Scientific Director of PE&RC, Prof. Ellis Hoffland!

We are honored to announce the appointment of Prof. Ellis Hoffland as the new Scientific Director of PE&RC.  As a highly valued member of our community, Prof. Hoffland is a leading expert on soil fertility, plant nutrition and soil plant relationships. She brings a wealth of experience along with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific excellence.

As of 1 September 2026, I am pleased to take on the role of scientific director of PE&RC. This position brings together two areas I greatly value: education and policy. I have long known PE&RC for its strong support of both PhD candidates and their supervisors. It is an honour to contribute to its continued success and to help shape its future direction in the challenging times ahead.

With PhD candidates as its primary stakeholders, PE&RC can take pride in its education and training programme: well-structured while offering flexibility in content, and with clear attention to personal development. Main challenges are probably the current “publication crisis,” the emergence of AI, and the evolving role of science in society. These require us to reflect on their implications for the role of scientists and, consequently, for the PhD programme. Continued attention to the wellbeing and work–life balance of PhD candidates will remain essential. 

Within WUR’s matrix structure I believe it is important to safeguard the graduate schools’ responsibility for research policy. Being connected to de PhD candidates and their chair groups, graduate schools have a strong information position with respect to developments in science. With WU being one faculty, graduate schools are in an excellent position to support the development of research policy and to ensure its effective implementation across the Science Groups.

I look forward to working on this together with the excellent team in the PE&RC office, a supportive Board, and our colleagues in the Wageningen Graduate Schools. I am grateful to build on the work of Bas, whose tremendous contribution over the past 12 years has shaped PE&RC into what it is today. Many thanks, Bas!

Prof. Ellis Hoffland